Congressional Newsletters

RAND Congressional newsletters and alerts highlight our research on the most relevant issues in the public policy debate. See the most recent issues below.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
In Case You Missed It: How Does COVID-19 Impact Small and Medium-Sized Businesses?
Mar 24, 2020
Social distancing is the only current public health tool to contain the spread of COVID-19, but it will negatively impact small and medium-sized businesses. RAND's Jennifer Bouey shares some policy options to support these businesses and their employees.
Pandemic
RAND COVID-19 Resources
Mar 13, 2020
As nationwide community spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) increases, policymakers are grappling with what actions are appropriate and necessary to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on communities, the economy, the nation's health, and the U.S. health care system.
Russia
What Provokes Putin's Russia?
Feb 27, 2020
Deterring Russia without provoking it requires an understanding of what Russia considers to be redlines. A deterrent that is too heavy-handed might prompt the precise response that it sought to avoid.
Pandemic
In Case You Missed It: From SARS to the Coronavirus
Feb 18, 2020
China's battle against the coronavirus highlights the importance of transparency and open collaboration among scientists globally. RAND's Jennifer Bouey shares some ways the United States can help China manage the pandemic.
Iran
In Case You Missed It: Escalation with Iran
Feb 13, 2020
In response to the killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, Iran is likely to continue to take action against the United States. RAND's Ariane Tabatabai describes some of the tools Iran could use to challenge the United States.
Military Strategy
Competing against Russia in the Gray Zone
Jan 30, 2020
RAND researchers ran a series of war games to explore Russian gray zone aggression--ranging from disinformation to electoral interference to little green men--in Europe.
Homeland Security
Countering Coercion in Cyberspace, Terrorism Prevention, Opioids at the Border, and More
Jan 17, 2020
RAND experts have testified and answered questions for staff on a variety of homeland security topics in recent years, including terrorism prevention, fentanyl flows into the United States, and Coast Guard workforce issues.
Public Health
Health Care Issues in 2020
Jan 14, 2020
What are some of the health care issues at the forefront of the congressional agenda in 2020? RAND experts offer up insight on a variety of topics, including the opioid crisis, drug pricing, delivery of care, and more.
Opioids
In Case You Missed It: Approaching the U.S. Opioid Crisis as an Ecosystem
Jan 9, 2020
RAND's Bradley Stein explains why we should approach the opioid crisis as an ecosystem instead of focusing on individual areas. He says employing a broader view of the crisis will help those confronting it better prepare for the challenges ahead.
Military Compensation
How Can Imminent Danger Pay and Hostile Fire Pay Be Improved?
Dec 19, 2019
RAND examined HFP and IDP and assessed whether a different approach might be more effective. While the current process is generally effective, it could be improved by allowing IDP rates to vary with the severity of threat in a location.
Infrastructure
Planning and Funding Resilient Infrastructure
Dec 18, 2019
RAND's Debra Knopman and Sarah Weilant discuss the importance of incorporating resilience in infrastructure planning. They outline three areas where the federal government could be making a difference.
Medicare
What are the Potential Effects of Medicare Buy-In?
Dec 5, 2019
Using RAND's COMPARE microsimulation model, researchers found that a Medicare buy-in proposal could offer significantly more-affordable coverage to older adults but might also lead to higher premiums for some people remaining on the individual market.